Pilbara coast braces for Rusty's arrival

EVEN for those used to living in Western Australia's "cyclone alley", Rusty is shaping as a storm they will long remember.

Communities spanning WA's northwest coastline were bracing for the arrival of the massive disturbance, which NASA estimates has an eye spanning 20 nautical miles.

Wind gusts of over 120km/h have already been recorded, with the category-three cyclone expected to be quickly upgraded as it creeps closer to the coast.

At 2pm (WST) on Tuesday, Rusty was sitting 135km north northeast of Port Hedland with a red alert issued for people between Pardoo and Whim Creek, including Port Hedland and South Hedland, meaning they were not to leave shelter until notified.

Deputy mayor of Port Hedland shire George Daccache, a resident of 40 years, says he expects the cyclone to be one of the worst the town has ever seen.

"This one's a bit of a beauty," Mr Daccache said.

"It's going to be a pain waiting for two to three days for this to come and go.

"We've just got to hang in there hour by hour and batten down the hatches."

On Tuesday afternoon, gales were being felt on the coast between Sandfire Roadhouse and Whim Creek, with destructive winds extending from near Port Hedland to Wallal.

Resources workers had already been evacuated, with Fortescue Metals and Atlas Iron shutting down their port operations in Port Hedland.

Gales are set to hit the coast west to Karratha and begin to extend inland towards Marble Bar and Millstream on Wednesday, the Bureau of Meteorology said, with gusts in excess of 165 km/h expected.

Pardoo Station had already recorded 200mm of rain on Tuesday and Warrawagine 64mm, with the equivalent of Perth's annual rainfall tipped to fall on the Pilbara over the next three days.

"We are seeing totals already up around the 100-150mm per day up the coast. I think that's going to pale into insignificance compared to what we'll see over the next couple days."

Very heavy rainfall on Tuesday night and Wednesday was likely to lead to major flooding in the De Grey catchment, with forecasters also warning of a potentially deadly storm tide as the cyclone centre nears the coast.

The State Emergency Service advised residents to prepare an emergency kit, relocate equipment and livestock to avoid floodwaters and prepare enough pet food and stockfeed for several days.

The Department for Child Protection said two relocation centres had been opened at the Andrew McLaughlin Community Centre in Keesing Street in Port Hedland, and the Wanangkura Recreation Centre in Hamilton Road South Hedland.

Only essential items are allowed into welfare centres, with alcohol and pets banned.

Several major roads are already closed, with every major utility in WA, including police, Main Roads, government departments and Telstra,all on standby.